ExpressVPN's split tunneling feature on Linux 6 lets you choose which apps use the VPN connection and which use your regular internet connection. This is especially useful if you want to protect some of your traffic with a VPN while still allowing other apps to access local network devices or maintain faster speeds. With the ExpressVPN Linux 6 app, split tunneling configuration is managed directly in the app's graphical user interface (GUI).
Split tunneling is helpful in several scenarios:
Local Network Access: You might want to access devices on your local network (like a printer or media server) while still using the VPN for browsing.
Bandwidth Optimization: Some apps, like streaming services, might work better without a VPN due to speed considerations. Split tunneling allows these apps to bypass the VPN.
Specific Security Needs: You can route sensitive apps (like banking apps or email clients) through the VPN while allowing less critical apps to use your regular connection.
Configuring split tunneling in the ExpressVPN Linux 6 app is straightforward:
Open the ExpressVPN app and go to the settings menu (usually found under "Preferences" or a similar option).
Look for the "Split Tunneling" or "Protected Apps" section.
You'll typically have options to:
Exclude selected apps from using the VPN.
Only allow selected apps to use the VPN.
Select the option that best suits your needs and then choose the specific applications you want to include or exclude.
Within the split tunneling settings, you may find options like:
Remember last settings: This ensures your split tunneling preferences are saved and automatically applied each time you connect to the VPN.
Bypass VPN for local devices: This is a useful setting if you primarily want to use the VPN for internet traffic but still access devices on your home or office network.
Keep these points in mind when using ExpressVPN's split tunneling:
Privacy Considerations: While split tunneling offers flexibility, remember that apps excluded from the VPN are not protected by its encryption. Your ISP and other parties can still monitor the traffic from these apps.
Application Updates: After updating an app, you may need to reconfigure your split tunneling settings to ensure it's still properly included or excluded.
Conflicts: Some apps might not work correctly with split tunneling. If you experience issues, try disabling split tunneling for that app to see if it resolves the problem.